Crow lands at The Vale hatching surrealism

A show described as 'brilliantly strange' is coming to The Vale arts centre in Mossley on Saturday 24 May 2025.

Combining live music, comedy, magic, poetry and projections, Crow is a genre-defying piece by one of the UK’s longest established outdoor performance companies, Avanti Display.

With one reviewer insisting it’s a show which should immediately have a cult following, Crow initially appears to take the form of a concert. It begins on a serious note as three musicians arrive with their instruments to set up for a gig. 

But quickly, the atmosphere begins to change as the inventive musical score from Seaming To (Homelife/Graham Massey's Toolshed/ Robert Wyatt/ Matthew Bourne) is interrupted by ridiculous acts of conjuring, more Tommy Cooper than David Blane. Sleight of hand, video projection, the cawing of crows and an ever present egg expand this comic and curious world, suggesting ideas both profound and absurd.

Enjoyed by audiences at festivals including Timber, Kensington and Chelsea Festival and Stockton International Riverside Festival, the show, which features five performers, has been adapted for a rare indoor outing.

The 40-minute long piece was conceived by Bill Palmer and developed and performed by Bill Palmer, Chris Squire, Paschale Straiton, Seaming To and Semay Wu. Words are by Lou Glanfield (IOU) and dramaturgy by Mark Long (People Show). Audio visual
design is by Chris Squire (Impossible Arts).

Johnny Clifford, programming manager, The Vale, said: "Avanti Display have been one of the UK's best loved outdoor theatre companies since 1987.

"Their unique brand of surrealism never fails to engage, amuse and rewire your brain from the outside in. Having programmed them over the years at festivals across the north west, I can highly recommend spending some time in their chaotic company."

Crow is recommended for ages 14+ and will open with a special pre-show performance to be announced

It was commissioned by Without Walls and SIRF and is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Crow is at The Vale on Saturday 24 May 2025 7-9pm. Tickets are donate what you can. The Vale is at Vale Mill, off Micklehurst Road, Mossley, Tameside OL5 9JL T:  01457 238 089 www.the-vale.co.uk

Scene in Crow